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Problems and causes - a summary
§Nutrient over-enrichment of coastal ecosystems generally triggers
ecological changes that decrease the biological diversity of bays and
estuaries
§While
moderate N enrichment of some coastal waters may increase fish production,
over-enrichment generally degrades the marine food web that supports
commercially valuable fish.
§The
marked increase in nutrient pollution of coastal waters has been accompanied
by an increase in harmful algal blooms, and in at least some cases, pollution
has triggered these blooms.